Boston Celtics: Can they knock off the Cavs?

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Boston Celtics: Can they knock off the Cavs??

As the final seconds ticked off the clock on Tuesday night at the TD Garden in Boston, the Cleveland Cavaliers faced the harsh reality that they would be trailing a playoff series by more than one game for the first time this year. Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics did something they’re used to doing this year which is winning home playoff games pushing their home playoff record to a league-best 9-0. The question everyone has today is are the Cleveland Cavaliers done and is LeBron James’ bid to reach his eighth consecutive NBA Finals appearance about to fall short?

It’s hard to believe that a team that has won the Eastern Conference 3 years in a row is in danger of losing to a team that lost its top two scores to injury. To a team that relies on a 19 and 21-year-old to provide major amounts of scoring. To a team that the Cavs destroyed by over 40 points last year in a playoff game in route to winning last year’s Conference Finals with ease 4-1. But folks these are the new Celtics and it’s a team that plays tenacious defense and moves the ball around on offense as well as any team in the league. There’s a reason that many are counting the Cavaliers out and when you look at the depth of the Celtics coupled by their defensive play and excellent home court advantage, it’s easy to see why most people are counting out the Cleveland Cavaliers.

As we know, LeBron James will step up huge but Cleveland’s backcourt was an issue Tuesday night with a playoff series record low of a combined three points between their starting backcourt George Hill and JR Smith. This series is not over, but it’s also not far from over because if Boston wins on Saturday and goes up three games to none, you can get the moving trucks ready at LeBron James’ residence as he makes plans for his next move.

Where that will be is for another day to discuss, but the ultimate failure of this year’s Cavilers falls squarely on LeBron’s shoulders. Many believe he orchestrated the series of trades in-season to redefine the team. That included the shipment of a good friend and future Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade back to the Miami Heat. Don’t you think the Cavs couldn’t use a reliable scorer with championship pedigree when it counts the most? Meantime, let’s embrace the Celtics, who behind a shrewd GM (Danny Ainge) and a brilliant in-game coach (Brad Stevens), close in on an amazing run to the NBA Finals.